janebond
CANADA
Member since 3/15/07
Posts: 1 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/26/09 11:44 AM I need to upgrade my machine and have been contempating the Vikings, but after having seen such bad reviews on the Sapphire, I am conflicted. I like the features of the Sapphire so I am contempating finding a Platinum 775 (fewer features but seems to have better reviews ) ...any thoughts?
My dealer says she loves her Sapphire and that the tension problems usually arises when quilting not sewing (i sew don't quilt) ... And that the machine takes some getting used to ...
Are there other machines that have the same features and in the same price range ($1600) that would be recommended... I have looked at the Janome and Berninas but they seem to be way more expensive ...
Thanks
|
ilesliemy
Advanced
TX USA
Member since 2/25/05
Posts: 740 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/26/09 11:48 AM I think you can still get a Bernina 430 for around $1800 and later if you want to try embroidery you can add the embroidery unit. I truly disliked my Sapphire but have loved previous Vikings. I think there is a Quilt Designer 1 or 2 (sews wonderfully, don't know why it says Quilt) on perhaps Kens new in box for $1299. ------
Bernina Gal |
ilesliemy
Advanced
TX USA
Member since 2/25/05
Posts: 740 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/26/09 11:53 AM OK here is the link (hopefully) to Ace Sew and Vac for the Quilt Designer for $1199 without the embroidery unit I believe. It is a GREAT price.
http://www.acesewvac.com/hus-des2.html ------
Bernina Gal |
quiltingwolf
Advanced
MD USA
Member since 12/15/02
Posts: 4994
|
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/26/09 12:13 PM such bad reviews on the Sapphire
And that the machine takes some getting used to ...
There are two good reasons to walk away from that machine you don't want a machine you might be happy with. I wouldn't just limit yourself to Vikings. There are a lot of nice machines under that price range.
-- Edited on 3/26/09 3:11 PM -- ------
quiltingwolf.blogspot.com |
Kanjelab
Intermediate
PA
Member since 4/20/06
Posts: 133 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/26/09 12:23 PM If the Viking 775 is anything like my 750--I'd highly recommend it. But I'd also check out other brands. I hear a lot of nice things about Janome sewing machines these days. |
diningroomseamstress
Intermediate
MI USA
Member since 2/27/07
Posts: 864 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to janebond
Date: 3/26/09 12:24 PM There are a slew of machines in the $1600 price range that will do a wonderful job of sewing. The Sapphire is really geared to quilting, so if you don't quilt why bother with it? I have found Janomes to be awesome machines and I am positive that they have quite a few of them in your price range, even less, that will exceed your needs. Take a look at them and check out the reviews here for any particular models you are interested in. They are favored by owners, myself being one of them. I own a Bernina, Singer, Babylock, Viking, and two Janomes. I love the Janome and got rid of my Viking Sapphire because I fell out of love with it. I replaced the Sapphire with the Mega Quilter because I do a lot of quilting and I just like the way it performs for quilting better than the Sapphire. And the wide feed dogs on the Sapphire didn't help me any with piecing. It just aggravated me that I had to use two separate machines to make a quilt (one for piecing and one for quilting). Since you aren't quilting, maybe the Sapphire might be a good choice but there have been a lot of tension issues reported on it and I'm not sure if you want that aggravation in case it happens during an important project.
I am sure with a little research you will find the perfect machine.
-- Edited on 3/26/09 12:29 PM -- ------
Carol - * I always have more time to sew *
Babylock Ellageo, Viking Mega Quilter, Janome MC6600P, Babylock Evolve Serger, Janome FM 725 |
poorpigling
Advanced
TX USA
Member since 12/28/07
Posts: 10059 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to janebond
Date: 3/26/09 1:25 PM I have to agree with Sewwolf..a machine that takes some getting use to sounds like a machine with issues..And you all know I have enough issues..  And that price range should buy a machine that is a joy to use and own..IMHO |
Ratkins
Intermediate
NY
Member since 9/9/07
Posts: 166 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to janebond
Date: 3/26/09 3:52 PM I really enjoy sewing on my Sapphire, too. I specifically like the way the presser foot raises during machine applique, and it didn't take very long to adjust to using a push button on the front to raise the foot.
I have been "lucky" (if you can call it that) that all my tension/thread issues are free motion quilting related. If you're not going to use it to quilt, then you should have no problem. If your dealer is a good one, you should be fine with the machine.
That said, I'm not sure the allure of a larger harp is as important if you're not quilting, so the Platinum might be a better choice. Before the Sapphire I had one of the predecessors to the Platinum, a Lily 545. It was a very good machine, and I regret trading it in for the Sapphire.
Janet
|
ilesliemy
Advanced
TX USA
Member since 2/25/05
Posts: 740 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/26/09 4:22 PM Janet, isn't there some function that the foot pedal does with a tap? I remember I liked the Sapphire foot pedal and perhaps it raised the foot, depending on how you had other things set. I did take the lessons on it and before it started to misbehave I figured I could get used to it. ------
Bernina Gal |
Ratkins
Intermediate
NY
Member since 9/9/07
Posts: 166 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to ilesliemy
Date: 3/26/09 4:59 PM Quote:
isn't there some function that the foot pedal does with a tap?
Yes! It raises/lowers the needle, so if you've selected needle up, the needle goes down with a foot tap, and vice versa.
That was the primary reason I didn't buy a Janome 6500. I would tap my foot and nothing would happen! Hind sight is 20/20, and now I realize that if I can adjust to a push button presser foot I could adjust to not using the foot pedal for needle up/down.
Janet
P.S. - it's not solely a Viking feature - Berninas do the same thing, or did when I demoed a 440.
-- Edited on 3/26/09 5:01 PM -- |
|Login|Help]
Printable Version
